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Heart of the Continent

Important Notice from the Heart of the Continent:

A National Geographic map of The Heart of the Continent's unique local businesses & attractions is being created and it is FREE to be on the map. You can nominate your business, event, or festival for the map to help promote travel to your region.

Each nomination should have a minimum of 4 or 5 pictures that view well in a thumbnail size, location and contact information, web and social media links, and details describing what it has to offer and what makes it great!

A National Geographic map of The Heart of the Continent's unique local businesses & attractions is being created and it is FREE to be on the map.

EVENTS & MEETINGS:

Quarterly Meeting: Fort Frances, ON, June 25th & 26th

The Fort Frances Chamber is excited to host the Heart of the Continent Quarterly meeting in Fort Frances!!! Planning is now underway, and we will release details soon!

Site Launch March 19th & 20th, 2015:

March 19-20, 2015

Glensheen Mansion

3300 London Rd, Duluth, MN 55804; 218-726-8910

Grand Portage National Monument

170 Mile Creek Road, Grand Portage, MN 55605; 218-475-0213

Fort William Historical Park

1350 King Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7K 1L7; 807-473-2344

The landmark project has taken two years to plan and execute and is a historically significant for all who live, work and play in the Superior border lakes region that we call Heart of the Continent. All sites and attractions that have been nominated and are on the website are invited to attend any of the venues to receive their certificate of recognition from the National Geographic Society.

Local Coalitions, Part I: Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability– Brian Bluhm will present their history, accomplishments and how they go about coalition building. Followed by group discussion on insights, connections for Heart of the Continent’s work.

Local Coalitions, Part II: Mesabi Trail – Ardy Nurmi-Wilberg and Bob Manzoline will present their history, accomplishments, and how they go about coalition building. Followed by group discussion on insights, connections for Heart of the Continent’s work.

HOCP updates including the Geotourism Initiative, the Connecting Volunteers Initiative, and recruiting new leadership to the Steering Committee.

Building Cross Border Networks for Environmental Learning, Part I - Panel members will share and compare their respective programs in relation to environmental learning. Participants to include Ontario Parks, Universities/Colleges, Environmental Learning Centers, and others.

Building Cross Border Networks for Environmental Learning, Part II: Group Discussions – Panel members will help lead group discussion on cross-border network building in relation to environmental learning.

Phase 1 of the Nat-Geo / Heart of the Continent Partnership is now complete! We are one step closer to the launch of the site!!! Contact the Chamber today for assistance with the process, and tips on creating your amazing spot on the Heart of the Continent website. Thank you to Wolf Ridge for your generous hospitality!

June 22, 2014 Meeting with National Geographic's Jim Dion, Director of Tourism Projects:

A great Rainy Lake boat tour & dinner with Jim Dion from National Geographic and the local Heart of the Continent representative from Fort Frances (Annely Armstrong), FF Chamber President (Mark Caron) and International Falls (Greg Thorstad, Pete Schultz, Eric Johnson, & Joe Mershon). Thank you to our hosts Rod and MaryJane Hannen (Thunderbird).

Voyageurs National Park and Destination Voyageurs National Park (DVNP) hosted a Heart of the Continent Conference (HOCP) quarterly business meeting on January 30th at VNP park headquarters and January 31st at the VNP Rainy Lake Visitor’s Center.